How do you approach character design and concept art for 3D modeling and texturing?

Character design and concept art are essential steps for creating realistic and appealing 3D models and textures. They help you define the style, personality, and functionality of your characters, as well as the mood and atmosphere of your scenes. In this article, you will learn how to approach character design and concept art for 3D modeling and texturing, from research and sketching to modeling and texturing.

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1 Research and reference

Before you start drawing or sculpting your character, you need to do some research and gather reference images. Research helps you understand the context, purpose, and genre of your character, as well as the anatomy, proportions, and clothing of your chosen style. Reference images help you visualize the details, colors, and shapes of your character, as well as the lighting and environment of your scene. You can use online sources, books, magazines, photos, or real-life objects as reference materials.

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2 Sketching and ideation

Once you have enough reference images, you can start sketching and ideating your character. Sketching and ideation are the processes of generating and refining your ideas, using different techniques such as thumbnails, silhouettes, or variations. You can sketch by hand or digitally, depending on your preference and tools. The goal is to explore different possibilities and find the most interesting and suitable design for your character.

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3 Modeling and sculpting

After you have a clear sketch of your character, you can start modeling and sculpting it in 3D. Modeling and sculpting are the processes of creating the geometry and form of your character, using software such as Blender, Maya, ZBrush, or Mudbox. You can use different methods such as box modeling, edge modeling, or sculpting to create your base mesh, and then add details and refine your shape using various tools and modifiers.

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Constantin Kormann

Digital Learning Manager @ WHU | MBA Class of 2026
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For a character workflow, it is usually very important that you final model that you give to rigging or animation has a proper topology. Deforming rigs require special topology in joints or creases. Make sure you research these requirements before and involve your rigging/animation artist in the finishing steps of your character. Changing topology later, when the asset has already progressed through the pipeline can be very hard.

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4 UV mapping and baking

Before you can apply textures to your character, you need to do some UV mapping and baking. UV mapping is the process of unwrapping your 3D model into a 2D layout, so that you can paint or project textures onto it. Baking is the process of transferring information from a high-poly model to a low-poly model, such as normal maps, displacement maps, or ambient occlusion maps. These maps help you create the illusion of depth and detail on your character, without increasing the polygon count.

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5 Texturing and shading

The final step of character design and concept art is texturing and shading. Texturing and shading are the processes of applying colors, patterns, and materials to your character, using software such as Photoshop, Substance Painter, or Quixel Mixer. You can use different techniques such as painting, photo manipulation, or procedural generation to create your textures, and then adjust the settings and parameters of your shaders to achieve the desired look and feel of your character.

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6 Rendering and post-processing

To see how your character looks in its final form, you need to render and post-process it. Rendering is the process of generating an image or a video from your 3D scene, using software such as Blender, Maya, or Unreal Engine. Post-processing is the process of enhancing or modifying your rendered image or video, using software such as Photoshop, After Effects, or Premiere Pro. You can use different effects and filters such as color correction, contrast, bloom, or motion blur to improve the quality and realism of your character.

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Constantin Kormann

Digital Learning Manager @ WHU | MBA Class of 2026
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Lighting theory is very important for a good presentation of your work. We are very used to lighting methods used in hollywood or TV series, so replicating that gives your renderings a professional touch. When lighting a character, it is important to figure out how to draw the attention of the viewer to the characters features using light and shadows. A good and common baseline to replicate is three-point lighting.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How do you approach character design and concept art for 3D modeling and texturing?

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1 Research and reference

2 Sketching and ideation

3 Modeling and sculpting

4 UV mapping and baking

5 Texturing and shading

6 Rendering and post-processing

7 Here’s what else to consider

3D Visualization

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